Friends! Hello and happy Friday! We are so excited to share another real Twirl wedding with you all this month. It's another one of our amazing former Bride Bloggers, Mary Rouse!! Mary shared her wedding planning process with us HERE, HERE, and HERE. We loved having her share her love story with us and some helpful tips along her wedding planning process. It makes our hearts SO very happy to finally share her amazing wedding day with you all! It's been a minute since they tied the knot (it'll be two years in September) but that doesn't mean reliving it is any less special. We love this girls so very much and think you all are just going to adore her perfect day. ENJOY!!

Can you give us a glimpse into you & your hubs's love story?

Daniel and I met in October 2014 through church and mutual friends. After I became good friends with Twirl's own, Liz Cox, I was soon introduced to Daniel, who at the time, I did not know would be my future husband (I actually had a crush on another guy!). The more time I spent with Dan, the more I was intrigued by his hilarious personality and kind spirit. By December, we were official! We took our first date to the Southern Lights with some of our best friends and the rest is pretty much history! It was a fast "fall" for the both of us and the saying "when you know, you know" couldn't be more true for our story! In August 2015 (only 10 months after we first met), Daniel proposed to me at the Henry Clay Estate in Downtown Lexington (watch a video of their proposal HERE). A little over a year after that, we were married!

What was it about your dress that made you realize it was "the one?" Was it what you expected to love/wear? Favorite memory from dress shopping/Twirl?

While dress shopping, I remember being so overwhelmed by all of the beautiful dresses that Twirl had in their store! It was like every dress I put on, I loved and could totally see myself getting married in! I went into my appointment having a pretty good idea of what I think looks good on me and my body type but also with a very loose grip on my expectations. To be honest, I wasn't sure what type of dress I was going to choose and that made my appointment all the more fun! I tried on SO many dresses (sorry, Liz) and I loved feeling so beautiful in every single one of them! But I knew my dress was "the one" even before I had pulled it up passed my knees. The material was so beautiful and elegant with just the right amount of sparkle; it was truly such a timeless material and style that even before it was completely on, I told Liz, "this is my dress!" That moment was my favorite memory of my dress shopping experience. I felt so confident in my decision, after I had tried on my dress, I never put another wedding dress on!

What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?

I have a LOT of favorite memories from my wedding day! I got to spend the whole day getting ready with my girls which was so fun and I got to dance the night away with my sweet groom... it was truly a magical day. But if I had to pick one favorite memory it would have to be being able to walk up the aisle as husband and wife! After a whole year of preparations for this special day, it was so much fun to finally be pronounced husband and wife!

What has been the best thing about marriage so far?

The best thing about marriage so far is always having a partner at the end of the day. I get to go through this life with my favorite person. All the highs and lows life has to offer, my sweet Daniel is by my side every single moment and it is truly a gift from the Lord to have that companionship this side of Heaven!

Any pieces of wisdom or advice you'd like to share with future brides, engaged gals, or newlyweds like yourself?

My biggest advice for engaged gals and newlyweds would be to find a community that you can immerse yourself in. It is truly so special to have people around you that know all of your junk and love you still! Even when you are married, you still need people that will champion and encourage you and speak into your life and into your marriage (even the hard stuff!) Daniel and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our friends and especially on the hard days, our community is what carries us through tribulation and helps us back to still waters.